This is intended to be a homage to very many musicians I've loved since I started listening to music. My intention is to tell what I know about them, hoping that those people who like them too, will help me fill numerous gaps, which I may have in their careers and discographies. Sorry, but there are no MP3 audio files here at all, just info (and love for the musicians).

This lineup released a couple of singles, ´I cry / She´s a go-go´, and ´Rescue me / What do you want to make those eyes at me for´, both released in 1966. After a tour in New Zealand, Lou Parun leaves them in April 1966.

A new single was released, ´Kicks / Whatcha gonna do about it´. Another song was recorded, ´It´s loving time´, but it remained unreleased until 1997, when the compilation Let's go with The Librettos was issued. This was a release of their only album (where Craig didn't appear), plus most of their singles as bonus tracks.

Then, Peacock and Stone joined another famous Australian band, Normie Rowe & The Playboys and at the end of 1966, Craig formed his own trio, The Knack.

They released a live album, Live at Sebastian´s (with Penelope). They were quite famous there, with regular appearances in a TV show called 'Uptight'.

After that, they decided leaving Australia for England. They recorded a 2nd album, Procession, produced by Mike Hugg (from Manfred Mann). This would lead to important connections for the band members, as we´re going to read.

But in 1969, Craig Collinge joins Mike Hugg and Manfred Mann in their new project (Emanon, later turned into Manfred Mann Chapter Three).

MANFRED MANN CHAPTER THREE

This was initially a side project by Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg, in 1968, under the name Emanon. After some initial lineups (including Hughie Flint on drums), the lineup stabilized with:

They recorded a commercial TV jingle for Michelin, along with about 50 other jingles. In June 1969, Manfred Mann (the band) disbanded, so Mann and Hugg were free to develop their project full time. So, Emanon turned into Manfred Mann Chapter Three. They made their first appearance in October 1969 using this new band name.

They released a first album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three, that sadly didn't sell, although it got a 5 star review in US Downbeat Magazine. The album also featured contributions by famed arranger, the late Derek Wadsworth. The horn players in the album were Sonny Corbett (trumpet), Harold Beckett (trumpet), Ian Fenby (harmonica), Phil Kenzie (sax), Chris Pyne (trombone), Dave Quincy (sax, from the band If). With fantastic guest vocalists, the lovely ones Madeline Bell, Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie. Steve York performs a bass solo in the song ´Snakeskin garter´. The album has been reissued on CD with 4 bonus tracks.

They started recording their 2nd album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two, but Craig Collinge left them during the sessions. They used two great session drummers, Conrad Isidore and Andrew McCulloch. The horn players on it are: Sonny Corbett, Dave Coxhill, Dave Brooks (sax), Clive Stevens (sax), Harold Beckett (trumpet). Also appearing Jerry Field on violin. The music in the album is very dense, with fantastic moments, where Steve York work on bass is outstanding.

Manfred Mann Chapter Three toured extensively promoting the album, even in the States, where they shared bill with Jefferson Airplane at the Fillmore East in May 1970. Also 3 days at Fillmore West with Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller and Janis Joplin.

THIRD WORLD WAR

In 1972, Third World War change their drummer for the recording of their 2nd album, Third World War II. This was the lineup:

In 1977, the Expo was held in Sydney. and Craig Collinge and Mike Dickinson performed there. From those performances, the seed for a new band was born, Corroboree.

CORROBOREE

Corroboree was a jazz-rock band based in Sydney. After several initial lineups (sorry, I don´t know that info! Early members include Rod Stone on guitar and Mike Dickinson on bass), Gerry Joe Weise joins in 1978:

As far as I know, they´ve released an album, but don´t know its title. Does anybody know, please?

AND THEN...

And then, around 2008, Craig was to perform in a one man show called Evolution 2 Revolution where he plays drums, percussion and keyboards. He had also co-written a musical called The case of the stolen riff with Alan Matthews, and was writing a memoir of musical times.

Craig and Alan Matthews are producing film music at APM studios. Craig is producing a solo performance called Cradle to the Grave. Also a children's / family entertainment show called BOOM CRASH BANG.

Comments:
This was a rare track originally distributed only to Michelin dealers in 1969. Written by Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg. Arranged by Derek Wadsworth. Musicians include Ray Russell (guitar), Steve York (bass), Harry Beckett (flugelhorn), Craig Collinge (drums).

Comments:
They released a first album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three, that sadly didn't sell, although it got a 5 star review in US Downbeat Magazine. The album also featured contributions by famed arranger Derek Wadsworth. The horn players in the album were Sonny Corbett (trumpet), Harry Beckett (trumpet), Ian Fenby (harmonica), Phil Kenzie (sax), Chris Pyne (trombone), Dave Quincy (sax, from the band If). With fantastic guest vocalists, the lovely ones Madeline Bell, Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie. Steve York performs a bass solo in the song ´Snakeskin garter´. The album has been reissued on CD with 4 bonus tracks.

Comments:
The band started recording their 2nd album, Manfred Mann Chapter Three Volume Two, but their drummer left them during the sessions. They used two great session drummers, Conrad Isidore and Andrew McCulloch. The horn players on it are: Sonny Corbett, Dave Coxhill, Dave Brooks (sax), Clive Stevens (sax), Harry Beckett (trumpet). Also appearing Gerry Field on violin. CD reissue has 3 bonus tracks.

My opinion:
The music in the album is very dense, with fantastic moments, where Steve York work on bass is outstanding.

Comments:
The album was released in 1964. The CD reissue contains 14 bonus tracks recorded in the period from 1964 to 1966, and thus contains appearances by later members who didn´t appear in the original album (for example, Craig Collinge).

QUESTIONS:

01. Can someone give me info about Craig´s stay with Normie Rowe And The Playboys?

02. Did Craig work with Alan Price? Live or just studio?

03. Did Craig work with The Shadows?

04. Did Craig work with Paul McCartney?

05. Can someone give me more info about Corroboree and their different lineups? Any album released?

06. He has also played with Mike Knock and Jacky Orszaczky, but don´t know more details.

Hi...i stumbled across a March 24 1977 copy of Pic People which has a page feature / competition offering a Pacific P&O Cruise prize for supplying a name to a new country rock band featuring Craig Collinge (drums) Kaye Somerville (vox) Mike Wallis (bass) Evan Gabriel (gtr) and Rick Mellica (keys)...i know Rick...better known as Rick Melick (keys with Swanee, Joe Bonamassa etc)...if i can find out more ill let you know. Best wishes...mac

Hi, mac - first of all, thanks for writing the comment. Yes, it would be great if you could provide with any additional info. Yes, Rick Melick is a great player, love his work with Bonamassa (along with other great players, such as the mighty Carmine Rojas or Tal Bergman). Thanks again!

Someone asked about Craig playing with Alan Price. The band I played in supported Alan Price at The Belfrey near Birmingham in about 1970 and Craig was their drummer then. An excellent player (far better than me I'm afraid !!!)

Hi, Charlie. Thanks a lot for your contribution, I couldn't confirm that Craig Collinge had played with Alan Price until now. By the way, do you remember any other musicians from that Alan Price Band? By the way, there was a Charlie Drake drummer in the band Sunday's Children. Are you the one? Thanks again.